In connection with the study of truth, and of prophecy in particular, I have more than once commended in print the following
remarks by Dr. Robert Daly.  They were written in 1838 and are found on page ix. of the Preface to The Letters and Papers of
Viscountess Powerscourt.  He said:





Therefore all sober and fair examination of a subject is to be welcomed, from whatever side it proceeds.  But it can only be
deplored when controversialists endeavour to create prejudice by unwarranted assertions.  For at least one hundred and twenty
years there have been serious and competent students of the Word of God who have believed it to be the clear teaching of Scripture
that the honour of reigning with the Lord in His kingdom is a privilege not guaranteed to every child of God, though it is offered to
each such in this age.  This involves that sharing in the raptures or the first resurrection, which will remove to the heavenly regions
those who are to reign there with Christ, while open to all believers is not assured to all, but to those only "who are accounted
worthy to attain to that [the Millennial] age and the resurrection which is from among the dead" (Luke xx. 35).  We consider that
this view alone answers to the many conditional statements of Scripture and also supplies both needful stimulus to holy living and
check against the abuse of the grace which provides such a great prospect.
Upon so important a theme concentrated examination is needful and helpful, but there are some who seek to discredit the doctrine
by alleging that it negatives the truth of the eternal salvation of those who are born of God through faith in the Son of God and His
atoning work.  No accredited teacher of the view in question will admit this, for it is of the essence of our view that we emphasize
heavily the contrast between life eternal as a free gift and sharing the glory of Christ as a reward.  The assertion serves to give
some very greatly needed body and weight to their opposition, for without it there would be no warrant for alleging that the doctrine
impinges upon the faith of the gospel.  The fact that it is found necessary to use this makeweight is silent testimony that the view is
consistent with the faith.
The sure way to rebut this unjustified allegation is to oppose to it the following statements by leading persons who have advocated
the doctrine of Selective Rapture and Resurrection.


The great theme of the return of the Lord Jesus was studied afresh by godly persons from about the year 1825, and it was
generally held that all believers alive at the time of the event and all the dead of this Christian age who had life in Christ would be
rapt or raised to share the kingdom and glory of the Lord.  But there were some of the earliest of those students who doubted this
last opinion and thought that the high honour of reigning with Christ was contingent upon faithfulness to Him in this life.  But in
those early years such divergence of opinion was never regarded as challenging the faith or as imperilling fellowship or as
restricting public ministry.  There was then too much theological knowledge, balanced judgment, and above all too much brotherly
love to hinder friendly discussion.
Statements upon this subject are on record by Anthony Norris Groves, R. C. Chapman, and Lady Powerscourt, the lady in whose
Castle in Ireland were held conferences for the study of Scripture which had profound influence.  Groves' words may be read in
my Anthony Norris Groves page 298, Lady Powerscourt is quoted on page 292, and R. C. Chapman on page 32 and more fully in
my First Fruits and Harvest, 29, 30.  On pages 28 and 29 of this last treatise it  is  shown  that  Hudson  Taylor  held  the  same  
view,  and others of his generation who did so were W. Fuller Gooch and Samuel H. Wilkinson.


Upon the matter of the eternal security of the regenerate Lady Powerscourt wrote:







What one who held the views in question regarded as the basis and character of salvation is seen in these words of A. N. Groves:






And again:





The expressions are to be noted: “assurance…such unmerited love…unconditional salvation," and this as the basis of holiness of life.
R. C, Chapman wrote:







And again:






Here also note the expressions “eternal redemption…strong foundation…shall endure for ever."
Passing on to the middle of the last century the chief exponent of these views in question was the learned Robert Govett, M.A., of
Norwich, Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford. Among his voluminous writings is The Righteousness of God the Salvation of the
Believer.  On page 376 he deals with Rom. viii. 31, "What therefore shall we say to these things?  If God be for us, who shall be
against us?"  He says:






And again:



In the latter part of the last century and the beginning of this a Cambridge classical scholar, G. H. Pember, M.A., became a leading
exponent of prophetic Scripture and of Selective Resurrection.  From pages 28-30 of The Church, the Churches and the Mysteries
we cite these statements as to the eternity of salvation.  The theme is John v. 24-29.
















Mr. D. M. Panton, B.A., Editor of The Dawn, followed Mr. Govett in his ministry at Norwich. His major pamphlet is The Judgment
Seat of Christ.   In a full treatment of this vast theme there are not unnaturally some things I should not say, but it is a searching
treatment of its solemn subject, too searching, I fear, for some Christian readers.  But it has helped many. A worker in a distant
land, able and zealous, became somewhat of a trial to fellow-workers by her persistent efforts to get many things ordered by her
views.  I sent her this pamphlet. She wrote to say that since she had therein learned that the Lord is the true and only competent
Judge, and that He duly takes in hand all matters, she no longer felt the need that she should strive to rectify everything.  For years
thereafter she proved a valued co-worker.  The paper opens thus:













These unequivocal utterances might suffice to show that the leading advocates of Selective Rapture and Resurrection have declared
plainly that the eternal security of the believer in Christ is emphatically part of their teaching.  Here I should much prefer to leave the
matter, but it is the case that at the present time I myself am the principal writer upon the same side, and it is to nullify as far as
possible my writings and influence that present criticisms are mainly directed.  It is the more regrettable that writers of today should
bring the complaint that the doctrine in question negatives the doctrine of eternal security, for they are acquainted with my writings
and must know that I have declared emphatically my conviction of the eternal security of the regenerate.  I ask the unbiassed reader
to ponder these three statements from three of my books on these subjects.
On pages 14, 15 of Firstfruits and Harvest it is said that











One of my present critics wrote a long attack upon my treatise The Revelation of Jesus Christ.  He had therefore read the following
very definite avowal on pages 14 and 15 in the Preface:












Yet in spite of this avowal my critic alleged and alleges that my views contradict the truth of eternal security.  Present critics know
well that two years ago I issued an extended commentary entitled The Epistle to the Hebrews.  This sets forth at length the
privileges that grace grants to the obedience of faith and also the penalties incurred by godlessness in believers.  Now at the very
heart of this exposition there is a special discussion to prove the eternal security of all the regenerate.  It occupies nearly six pages
of small type and runs to over 3,000 words.  The concluding sentence reads:




It is greatly to be desired that in future critics will be honest enough to acknowledge that those they oppose believe as they do upon
this matter, seeing that the proofs of this are here made public.

Note.  An example of the criticism deprecated may be found in a recent discussion entitled Who Will Go when the Lord Comes? by
W. R. Lewis and E. W. Rogers. It is issued from the office of "Echoes of Service," Bath; by post 3s. 3d. The Introduction opens as
follows:










It is to be observed:
1.  That no references are given to any books in which it is said the doctrines rejected are taught, not even to the one quoted; so
that readers are precluded from testing either the quotation or its context.
2.  The reader is left to assume with the writers that what the writer quoted meant by "this beatific vision" is the same as the
"eternal security of the believer," that is, "salvation," as it is added, "Their future salvation is no contingency."  The rest of their
book follows this assumption, and on it is based the charge that, according to the writer and others, "salvation" is not by grace
alone but is "by the work of Calvary plus something of human endeavour."  This is the only really weighty element in their strictures.
The writer cited was dealing with Heb. xii, 14: "Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall
see the Lord."  In the paragraphs just immediately preceding the words quoted he showed that "the Lord" in this verse is not Christ,
because every eye shall see Him at one time of judgment or another, according to Rev. i, 7: Phil. ii. 10, 11: John v. 22. He added
that, "It is therefore to some face to face vision of God the Father that our clause refers," and he cited numerous passages in
support.  This therefore was "the beatific vision" which he considered this scripture to make conditional upon sanctification.  In the
very paragraph quoted he made this unmistakably clear by describing "the beatific vision" as "the fullest and highest bliss possible
through the blood of Jesus, even this supernal vision of the face and presence of Him Who before was personally inaccessible to
man."
Early in the same chapter the writer had stated clearly his belief as to the standing and security of the believer.  He dealt with the
words of Heb. xii. 24:  "Ye have come unto the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better than that of Abel," and said:










Even these critics will surely acknowledge that some privileges and rewards attached to salvation may be lost without imperilling
salvation, and the writer was dealing with the vision of God the Father as the highest of these possibilities.  It was only by
disregarding his plain definition and the whole context that his term "the beatific vision" was made to seem equivalent to "salvation"
and thereupon the unjust charge formulated that he taught that salvation depends upon grace and law, faith and works.  Thus the
critics gravely perverted his teaching, created an entirely false issue, and completely misled their readers.
The book in question (now out of print) is my Firstborn
Sons, Their Rights and Risks, pages 75-77, 65, 66.


(Taken from The Disciple, v. 1, no. 2, Oct. 1953, reprinted in book form by Schoettle Pub. co., INC., 1984)
SELECTIVE RESURRECTION AND RAPTURE
IN RELATION TO
THE ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE REGENERATE,
AN
AFFIRMATION
by
G. H. Lang
________
I consider the whole Church of Christ to be much in the dark with regard to
prophecy, and more or less in error concerning it; and that the best way to
correct the error, and attain more light, is to encourage free discussion
upon it.
Death has left its sting in the humanity of Christ, and has no more power to harm his child.
Christ's victory over the grave is his people…Omnipotent love must fail before one of his
sheep can perish:  for, says Christ, “none shall pluck my sheep out of my hand." "I and my
Father are one"; therefore we may boldly say, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."  Letters and Papers, 285.
in all shapes, and the more my soul desires entire devotedness to the whole will of God, in
all shapes, and the more my soul desires entire devotedness to the whole will of God, and
conformity to my Gracious Lord and conformity to my Gracious Lord.
How great the blessing—redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the
riches of the grace of God.  Let us but keep this in view, this perfect eternal redemption, and all is
well.  Then has patience her perfect work, and we submit to the hand of God, not because we cannot
resist, but because God is love and is our Heavenly Father.
What think you of Christ then, my dear Sister? I know your answer.  He is altogether lovely. He is now
sitting for us at the right hand of God, and the stability of His throne is our strong foundation.  
(Selected Letters, 2, 3.)
Moreover, my soul, know thou the day makes haste to come when that which is in
part shall be done away;  this body of death is not for ever;  but the workmanship of
the Spirit of Christ shall endure for ever; for the Lord shall be unto thee an
everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."  
(Hymns and Meditations, 166, 167.)
The intentions of Almighty power and wisdom must needs be fulfilled.  Satan with his
angels and evil men are against us, and would gladly destroy.  But all opposition will
not avail to frustrate the salvation of God’s providing.  The Father, the Son, the Holy
Spirit, are engaged on our behalf.  Here is our security that we shall enjoy eternal life
(page 376).
The believer then, made a son of God by the love of God in Christ, shall certainly attain at
last the glory of eternal life (page 551).
With His most solemn formula the Lord introduces this wondrous and gracious revelation, that, at the
moment when we receive His word, and believe the testimony which His Father has given concerning
Him, we have crossed the boundary which separates life from death—aye, and have done so before
the awful Judgment throne is set up between them.  In that instant, by the word of His power, by that
mighty working whereby He is able to subject all things to Himself, a germ of immortality has passed
into our being, which—like all the gifts and callings of God—when once given, can never be
withdrawn…Such being the case, how could we ever perish?  How could God sanction so great a
waste as the destruction of those whom He has created anew in Christ Jesus, and made perfect in Him!
…True, then, were the words of the Lord when He said: " Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall
never die."  And true, also, the words of the Apostle:  "And this is the record, that God gave unto us
eternal life, and this life, is in His Son.   He that hath the Son hath the life: he that hath not the Son of
God hath not the life."  The first, then, of the three mighty acts is a resurrection of the spirit, or the
spiritual resurrection, which involves everlasting life, and is identical with the new birth, or the new
creation in Christ Jesus.  It is an absolute and undeserved gift from God, and can only be obtained as
such.
It is the joy and wonder of God's Grace that all saving merit in our Lord's life and death becomes
ours on simple faith:  "for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory" (Eph. ii.  8, 9).  A sinner's
works, so far from saving him, have actually to be repented of—"repentence from dead works"
(Heb, vi. 1):—for "the free gift of God"—unfettered therefore by any obligation on the part of the
Giver, and thus completely severed from our merit—"is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"
(Rom. vi. 23)…We thus draw eternal life solely from the Son of God.  "God gave unto us eternal
life, and this life is in His Son.  He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God
hath not the life" (I John v. 11, 12).  Eternal life  thus rests for ever on simple, saving faith, which
produces immediate regeneration,  incorporation  into Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost,
and indefectible life.  "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John iii. 36).
It is at this point that the "ifs" of the Word of God come in, and are so solemn and
significant.  Whenever the matter is that of the pardon of sin, the justifying of the guilty,
the gift of eternal life, Scripture ever speaks positively and unconditionally.  The sinner is
"justified freely by God's grace," and "the free gift of God is eternal life" (Rom. iii. 24; vi.
23), in which places the word "free" means free of conditions, not only of payment.  
Eternal life therefore is what is called in law an absolute gift, in contrast to a conditional
gift.  The latter may be forfeited if the condition is not fulfilled; the former is irrevocable.  
But as soon as the sinner has by faith entered into this standing before God, then the
Word begins at once to speak to him with "Ifs."  From this point and forward every
privilege is conditional.  
This book is written by one who is thoroughly persuaded that the teaching of Scripture is
that no justified and regenerate persons can ever be finally lost.  Devout and learned men
have held the opposite; and they support that view by many solemn passages, such as John
xv, Heb. vi, and others.   In my Firstborn Sons, Their Rights and Risks I have endeavoured to
show that these portions of the Word are harmonious with the belief that no person once
saved can be lost eternally, but that they do contain a searching warning message to the
child of God, especially as regards the millennial kingdom. It is upon this line that some
parts of Revelation are here expounded; but I must ask once and for all that the reader,
when he comes to these passages, will remember that it has been here avowed in advance
that salvation from the lake of fire, once secured by faith in the precious blood of Christ, is
unforfeitable.
Happy indeed is he who, as touching his status as righteous before God, sees Christ to
be his all, for thus will he be assured that his judicial acceptance by God is necessarily
as eternal as the righteousness of his Surety.
There fell into the hands of one of the writers recently a book in which was the following:
"The initial condition upon which man may aspire to this beatific vision is the atoning
work of the Redeemer…But the final condition for realizing in fact that which the
atonement has made possible is set before us in the clause…"Pursue the sanctification
without which no man shall see the Lord"…The eternal security of the believer depends
solely upon the sovereign grace of God.  It is altogether independent of works.   It is
"not of works lest any man should boast" (Eph. ii. 9).   Salvation is effected alone through
the work of Christ on the Cross, and His resurrection, appropriated by faith, applied to
the believer by the Holy Spirit.  To this nothing can be added."
No matter what a the privilege now known, or hereafter to be gained, all our
standing and hope is based upon the atonement of Calvary . . . And to all
eternity, and in whatever height of glory we may reign on Mount Zion, we shall
discover our security to stand in that eternal redemption.
"I stand upon His merit:
I know no other stand,
Not e'en where glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land."
G.H.L.
Is it not a sweet fruit of unconditional salvation that it has taught the soul to esteem God's will
concerning all things to be right?  Imperfect obedience to the divine will can only be, I
conceive, the fruit of imperfect love.  (Memoir of A. N. Groves, 189,234).